Epidemiology of Suicide Attempts in Newfoundland and Labrador, 1998-2000

This study examined patterns & associated factors for suicide attempts requiring hospitalization in Newfoundland & Labrador. A total of 979 patients were identified for the years 1998-2000, giving an incidence rate of 68.7 per 100,000 person-years. The overall female to male ratio was 1.3:1. More than 70% of hospitalizations were associated with psychiatric diagnosis. The differences between attempted suicide rates in Newfoundland & Labrador & the rate for all of Canada likely reflect social, economic, & cultural factors that cannot be fully addressed using hospital data. (34 refs.)